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Three Of The NHL’s Most Improved Teams Heading Into The 2018/19 Campaign

With the Major League Baseball season, almost three quarters over NHL training camps are a month away. With the offseason activity completed, it’s time for hockey fans to focus on the upcoming season. In this post, we will break down three of hockey’s most improved teams

Three Of The NHL’s Most Improved Teams Heading Into the 2018/19 Campaign

Carolina Hurricanes Out of all the teams in the NHL the Hurricanes were the busiest. Beginning with a five _player trade with Calgary the Hurricanes said goodbye to Noah Hanifan.

As part of the five_ player deal, the club received defensemen Dougie Hamilton and winger Michael Ferland. Also, the team signed free agent defensemen Calvin De Haan. de Haan is noted for his tough style of play that Carolina lacked last year. As for the goaltending, the club signed Petr Mrazek from Philadelphia. Mrazek will provide depth provide depth for the disappointing Scott Darling.

Overall, the Team finished 23rd in  Goals Against Average With the addition, of Hamilton, DeHaan the Hurricanes defense should be improved. Also, goaltender Petr Mrazek provides depth to back up Scott Darling. If the club sticks to its game plan Head coach Rod Brind’ Amour’s team has a chance at the playoffs.

Arizona Coyotes Head coach RickTocchets Coyotes suffered a disappointing 29-41 season last year.   With the Coyotes finishing at the bottom in every category the organization had a hectic offseason.

The first major move was sending Max Domi to Montreal all for center Alex Galchenyuk. In Galchenyuk, the club gets a proven scorer. Scoring 19 goals and 32 assists last season he also has played in 418 postseason games.

In other moves, the team acquired winger Michael Grabner from the Devils. Grabner is an excellent skater who brings a physical presence.  Also competing for a roster spot is center Brad Richardson from Vancouver Vinnie Hinostroza from Chicago and right winger Nick Cousins from the Flyers. All players should provide depth to a weak offensive team.

As for the goaltending department, Antti Raanta had an impressive season compiling a 21-17-6 for a 224 Goals Against Average   Backup Darcy Kuemper provides relief. Kuemper was 12-7-5 with a 252 Goals Against. With new faces and strong goaltending, the Coyotes could well be the surprise of the west this year.

Toronto Maple Leafs Out of all the teams in hockey, the most exciting to follow were the Leafs. The Leafs landed the biggest fish of all in winger John Tavares. Tavares agreed to an eight _year deal .In Tavares, the team gets one of the most prolific players in the NHL. Tavares along with Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and center Nazee Kadir the Maple Leafs are a threat to win the East. Plus free agent Tyler Ennis. Veterans James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak found new homes.  With the signing of Tavares Toronto becomes a favourite to win the East. The only catch with so much offense the Leafs finished 13th in GAA. Goaltender Frederik Andersen fell apart in the playoffs.  If Toronto can play quality two_ way hockey and give Andersen the protection he needs the Maple Leafs should go deep in the playoffs.

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Why Ian Kinsler Is An Upgrade For The Red Sox

Now that the Major League trade deadline has passed Red Sox fans should be happy, as the club traded for veteran infielder Ian Kinsler. The organization obtained Kinsler for two minor league prospects.

. In Kinsler, the club gets a quality replacement for the injured Dustin Pedroia. In this post, we will examine three areas why the Red Sox needed offense over relief pitching.

Why Ian Kinsler Is An Upgrade For The Red Sox

Upgrade Defensively
  Since the injury to Dustin Pedroia, the team has been shuffling Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt at second.  In Kinsler, the club is getting a thirteen_ year veteran. Kinsler who has a career batting average of 272 has 247 home runs and 871 runs batted in.. Defensively he has a 981 fielding percentage over a span of 8400 chances. Playing in1,719 games Kinsler is still a quality everyday player.

 Compared to Pedroia the two are similar in their style of play. Kinsler was a seventeenth round pick in 2002 while Pedroia was drafted by Boston the following year. With Pedroia out with a knee injury, the Red Sox are getting a player who the fans will hopefully appreciate like they did Pedroia.  All factors considered Kinsler is a  quality upgrade over substitutes Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez.

   Strong Bullpen

  General Manager Dave Dombrowski did not add any new arms to assist the bullpen. The club has been getting substantial contributions from All _Star closer Craig Kimbrel.


  In addition to Kimbrell Boston has been getting valuable contributions from Matt Barnes3-3-3.57, Heath Hembree 4-1 3.65, Joe Kelly 3-0 1.57, Ryan Brasier, and Tyler Thornburg.

                                                                                                                                                                            Stretch Run

 Since opening day 2018 General Manager Dave Dombrowski has been very proactive in improving the team’s roster. The club acquired veteran first baseman Steve Pearce from Toronto. Late last week the team traded for Ray’s pitcher righthander Nathan Eovaldi. In Eovaldi’s first start he shutout the Tigers on 82 pitches.

 With the best record in baseball at 75-34, Boston needs to get dependable pitching from its starters. With Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez on rehab, every start is crucial. If the team hopes to achieve success in the postseason, then it all comes down to the pitching.